Europe’s busiest port has introduced a digital application enabling the smarter use of berths, buoys and dolphins for dry bulk and container ships
Port of Rotterdam is rolling out a digital tool to enable smarter use of its terminal berths and anchorages as part of a wider digitalisation initiative.
Europe’s busiest port has 31 buoys and dolphins for transhipment, repair, bunkering and waiting, which shipping agents can now book using the King application. Demand for these berths exceeds supply, so the authority is using King to optimise their use and create more capacity.
After a successful trial of King in October 2024, Port of Rotterdam has rolled this software across its operations and expects to add capacity by the end of this year. This initial programme involved two berths at HES Bulk Terminal Maasdelta (HBTM) and two berths on the dry bulk quay at Hutchison’s ECT facilities.
Feedback from the market has been positive, according to the authority, with users valuing the transparency and ease of use, while terminals benefit from improved quay occupancy and rates.
Marine support providers including pilots, tug operators and line handlers are also gaining from this application, as it increases demand.
“Transhipment companies often have the capacity to accommodate additional vessels, but they do not have an application to offer these berths to the market,” said Port of Rotterdam Authority business manager for shipping Willem Schreij. “They asked us if we could facilitate this through King.”
